In his 16th NBA season, Mike Conley is averaging 8.2 assists, a career-high for him.
After the organization dealt its prized guard (Donovan Mitchell) and rim protector (Rudy Gobert), Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley expected to hear about the franchise making another significant move.
“Just like everyone else, I was anticipating a call that would take me somewhere else,” said Conley.
Much to his surprise, Conley is still donning a Jazz uniform. Equally surprising is Utah’s strong start to the 2022-23 NBA season.
The Jazz (11-6) rectified a three-game losing streak with a 134-133 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night and reclaimed the top spot in the West on Saturday with a 118-113 win over the Trail Blazers. In his 16th NBA season, Conley has played a large part in Utah’s success with his production (10.7 points, 8.1 assists) and leadership.
Recently, Conley had a conversation with NBA.com where he discussed his performance, his role as a mentor to Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, his experience playing under first-year head coach Will Hardy, and his uncertain future.
Editor’s note: The following 1-on-1 conversation has been condensed and edited.
What explains the strong start?
The atmosphere here is quite different from any other team I’ve been a part of. Our team is rich in talent. We all have personal goals and a desire to disprove any misconceptions the world might have about us, and we’re all focused on improving. There’s a commonality of determination and resilience among us. When you combine all of that, you get what you’re witnessing now. Being a part of this has been a great experience.
Did you see this coming?
I can’t say that I did. I didn’t think it would be this right away. Our schedule has been really tough to start the season. But we’ve been a team that just goes out there. We don’t care who we play. We’re going to play harder, smarter and try to win the game. We’ve been able to do that on a lot of occasions.
After the Jazz traded Donovan and Rudy, were you also expecting to be dealt?
I remained uncertain about what was going to transpire even as we approached training camp. I was unsure about who else would be present, and whether I’d be included or not. Once I had confirmation that I’d at least start the season here, I honed in on my priorities and prepared to play. I decided to let whatever needs to happen, happen. However, while I’m here, I’m committed to performing my best and contributing as much as possible to this team.
Has the front office offered any more clarity to you since the season started?
From my viewpoint, nothing changes. I’ll continue with my usual routine. Justin [Zanik] and Danny [Ainge] have kept everything crystal clear. If anything arises, they’ll inform me. But, at this moment, my focus is solely on the team. I’m enjoying it. The organization is fantastic. Ryan [Smith], Danny, and Will Hardy are all outstanding. So, let’s see how things unfold.
In the meantime, how have you approached your role?
I’m fully embracing this situation. Many things happened over the summer, particularly trades. But I find myself back in the same spot for a reason. I am here for my teammates, and they are here for me. We are not here to start over; we aim to win and compete. This has been my goal from the start. It feels great to be part of a team with the same commitment. My role is to be the best leader I can be. My focus is on guiding the team, particularly Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson.
What has been your message to Clarkson?
I’ve been encouraging him to evolve into a more strategic playmaker, and he’s been doing an outstanding job at it. It’s in these small areas that I’m trying to infuse elements of my game into his. He has the ability to score, to display aggressiveness. However, he could excel even more if he acquired skills like dribbling twice to the corner or making an additional pass. He’s really embraced this idea.
It’s been fascinating to observe that my gaming style is influencing him slightly in his approach towards the game. It’s proving to be beneficial. However, there are moments when you need to step back and let him be. Don’t obstruct his path. Let him be himself. He has the liberty to take the shot whenever he wants, and unleash his potential.
What have you seen in Sexton’s development?
He’s demonstrating patience, carefully choosing his moments. He’s the sort of person who can throw himself into the game at 100 miles per hour and sometimes gets a bit too involved. Every plane ride we share involves an hour or hour-and-a-half session of viewing game footage together. We dissect each play, discussing it in detail. This has been the nature of our relationship so far, and it’s been quite beneficial.
What have the film sessions been like?
They’ve shown honesty and authenticity. We often find ourselves laughing when we question one another’s decisions like, ‘Why did you make that pass; what was your thought process?’ But it’s all in good fun. It’s educational and enlightening. He’s done well in accepting the feedback graciously.
Will Hardy also said you have helped him a lot. How do you help a first-year head coach?
We do communicate quite often. He is involved in our film sessions as well. He would join us and we would have discussions. This is his first time in such a role. I’m doing my best to assist him, although he already has considerable knowledge. His contributions have been very beneficial to us. We appreciate his presence. It’s all about handling players. He often inquires about the best way to deal with a particular individual. He questions whether we should schedule practice on certain days or take a break, and how the guys would react to it.
What has been your feedback to him about those questions?
During our trip to LA, we originally had a break from practice. However, after our victory over the Lakers, many of the guys likely went out or ate late. The question was posed, ‘Should we wake them up for practice?’ I agreed, suggesting it would be beneficial to prevent them from sleeping until the afternoon and instead get them up and moving. This type of communication is really beneficial.
How have you felt physically?
I feel fantastic, which is amusing given that I haven’t experienced any sensation since injuring my right hamstring two years ago. My health has consistently been the primary topic of discussion when it comes to me. However, I’ve been in excellent health for the past two years. The injury was an isolated incident. Yet, this ‘label’ has become part of my identity. I’m in high spirits. The energy from the younger guys is rejuvenating me. They challenge me daily, but I’m thoroughly enjoying the experience.
After you signed your extension in the 2021 offseason, you told me you were going to refine your regimen. What have you been doing?
I’ve incorporated a lot of yoga and made various dietary adjustments. I’m prioritizing my sleep, which is crucial for me. I’m disciplined about maintaining a regular sleep schedule, striving for at least seven or eight continuous hours of sleep. I’ve eliminated red meat and pork from my diet, and increased my intake of fish and other foods rich in vitamins and fiber. I’ve also started weightlifting frequently. I lift weights after every game and continue the regimen the following day. This is a new endeavor for me as I’ve never focused on my body this way before.
Why didn’t you do that earlier?
I used to believe that it would exhaust me for the following day. However, through consistent work, I have developed a tolerance, so my hamstrings and quads no longer trouble me. I’ve concentrated on strengthening these areas, which has proven to be an effective solution.
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Mark Medina is a senior writer/analyst for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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